CITY trio Clare Webber, Felicity Wharton and Allison McGrath aren't new to cricket, but this summer and beyond they could help forge a pathway for female players in Newcastle.
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Webber, 15, and McGrath, 17, are set to line up for City in Newcastle District Cricket Association's first women's T20 competition with Wharton, 10, to potentially follow in years to come.
An open Newcastle representative team will also be selected this season, taking part in the inaugural Women's T20 Regional Bash equivalent to NSW Country's current male tournament.
It all marks a significant step for the sport in this region and across the state.
"The introduction of the local women's grade competition as well as a representative team in the NSW Country T20 Regional Bash is a major advance for female cricket in Newcastle," NDCA chairman Paul Marjoribanks told the Newcastle Herald.
"The final of the Women's T20 Regional Bash is scheduled for the SCG, which creates another great opportunity for Newcastle players."
In terms of the Newcastle women's T20 competition, City is one of four clubs to confirm entry alongside Hamilton-Wickham, Waratah-Mayfield and Toronto.
Stockton and Northern Districts have already declined but Marjoribanks is confident at least six sides, possibly featuring some merged outfits, will take the field from October 23.
Applications have been extended until Monday.
'We're getting positive feedback from most clubs and we're hopeful we can launch with a minimum six-team competition," he said.
"NDCA has encouraged clubs to consider forming combined teams if they cannot do it stand-alone in year one."
The competition will be run midweek as twilight fixtures.
Webber and McGrath, ACT-NSW Country junior representatives who also play with Sydney club Northern Districts, said they were looking forward to the new venture.
"It's really good," McGrath said.
"It means more time out in the middle and more girls can get involved."
The Women's T20 Regional Bash starts October 20.
Meanwhile, Cricket NSW announced on Monday that state representatives Moises Henriques and Stephen O'Keefe will visit Newcastle next month as part of the annual Cricket NSW Country Blitz.
Daniel Hughes and Lauren Cheatle will head to Lake Macquarie, Jack Edwards and Harry Conway will frequent the Hunter while former Belmont first grader Greg West joins Justin Avendano on the Central Coast.
Novocastrian 19-year-old Jason Sangha has been assigned to Illawarra.
